From the get go I knew that finding the dress that would most flatter my frame wouldn’t be an easy task, and I knew others would want to know the process I went through. For reference, i’m 5’6, about 190 pounds at this point, with a 36F bust and a short torso. Meaning, my body isn’t a “straight” size, and finding a dress that flattered me was more challenging than I care to admit.

I vowed to try on dresses of every silhouette, style and shape before making my decision; and try on every dress I did. Some were really bad (above), some weren’t so horrendous (below), but there were a few key factors I considered across each style I tried.

1. Did I feel pretty?

2. Was my chest supported?

3. You don’t have to take dresses as they come.

When it came down to it these tips were crucial, but not as important as the last one, which I discovered as a result of an amazing sales associate at the Nordstrom Wedding Suite in San Francisco (highly recommend, by the way): Think outside the box.

This woman recommended that I try on a two piece dress (!?). Can you believe it? Cue the freakout moment. My immediate response? “I am NOT wearing a crop top to my wedding…” Duh. But nope, wedding dresses these days come in two pieces that allow the bride a bit more customization.

In my case, I purchased a tulle skirt (of the fullness I desired), and a bustier top of a style I loved. This allowed me to wear the skirt at my most flattering, natural waist, instead of the pre-defined waist of a one-piece dress. Score!

This was the top and skirt I ended up with. Absolutely stunning, comfortable for the day, and one that I felt like really flattered my figure.